Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland's busiest airport, handling around 15 million passengers per year. It is located 8 miles west of Edinburgh city centre in Ingliston, with direct tram connections to the heart of the city making it one of the most accessible airports in Scotland.
The airport operates a single passenger terminal, originally opened in 1977 and significantly expanded in 2016. The terminal is fully step-free throughout. easyJet is the largest operator at Edinburgh with over 60 routes, followed by Ryanair, British Airways, and Loganair which serves Scottish island communities.
Edinburgh's international connections have grown steadily, with long-haul routes to Dubai (seasonal via Emirates) and New York, as well as year-round services to Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Dublin and Frankfurt. The airport is a major gateway for leisure visitors during the Edinburgh Festival in August — the busiest period of the year.
Single terminal — all airlines
Edinburgh operates a single passenger terminal, so there is no need to check which terminal your airline uses. All check-in desks, security, and departures are under one roof.
Most popular routes
Edinburgh Airport FAQs
Yes. Edinburgh Trams run directly to the airport from York Place and St Andrew Square in the city centre. Trams depart every 7–12 minutes and the journey takes approximately 35 minutes. A single ticket costs £9.50; a return is £17.50. You can pay by contactless card on the platform or buy via the Edinburgh Trams app.
By Edinburgh Tram: approximately 35 minutes to St Andrew Square / York Place. By Airlink 100 bus: around 30 minutes to Waverley Bridge (£5 single). By taxi: roughly 20–35 minutes depending on traffic, costing £25–30. By car: 8 miles via the A8, typically 20–30 minutes outside rush hour.
Edinburgh's biggest operator is easyJet, with over 60 routes including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Faro, Tenerife, and Krakow. Ryanair serves a large European network. British Airways flies to London Heathrow with onward connections. Loganair serves Scottish island communities. KLM, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, American Airlines and seasonal Emirates flights complete the main network.
A single tram journey from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre costs £9.50. A return is £17.50. Children under 5 travel free. Trams accept contactless payment on the platform machines or you can use the Edinburgh Trams app. There is no charge to board — validate your ticket before boarding.
The Airlink 100 bus runs from the airport directly to Waverley Bridge (next to Waverley Station) every 10–15 minutes. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes and a single ticket costs £5. Alternatively, the Edinburgh Tram runs to St Andrew Square which is a short 5-minute walk from Waverley.
Yes. Edinburgh has the No.1 Lounge and the Aspire Lounge, both accessible airside after security. Any passenger can pay to use them regardless of airline or cabin class. Pre-booking online is typically £25–35 and is considerably cheaper than paying at the door. Both lounges offer complimentary food, drinks and Wi-Fi.
Yes. Edinburgh Airport operates a completely step-free terminal with lifts throughout. Accessible toilets, dedicated assistance desks and a Special Assistance service are all available. Contact your airline or the airport at least 48 hours before travel if you require wheelchair assistance or other mobility support.
For short-haul European flights, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. Long-haul: allow 3 hours. During August (Edinburgh Festival) and peak summer weekends, security queues can be long — allow an additional 30–60 minutes. Check-in desks typically close 60 minutes before departure.
Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Pre-booking Edinburgh Airport parking online saves significantly compared to paying on arrival. Options include Short Stay (attached to the terminal), Long Stay (free shuttle, ~10 minutes), and off-airport JetParks 1 and 2 which are usually the best value with free shuttle buses.
Emirates has operated seasonal direct flights from Edinburgh to Dubai (DXB). The route is not year-round, so check current availability for your travel dates on the Emirates website or your preferred booking site.
Transport to Edinburgh Airport
| Edinburgh Trams | 35 min to city centre · £9.50 single · every 7–12 min |
| Airlink 100 Bus | 30 min to Waverley Bridge · £5 single · every 10–15 min |
| National Express | Coaches to Glasgow, London and beyond |
| Taxi to city centre | ~20–35 min · approx £25–30 |
| Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) | ~20–35 min · approx £20–28 |
| Car hire | On-site car hire available from all major operators |
| Drive | A8 / M8 motorway · 8 miles west of city centre |
Compare parking options
Pre-booking online saves significantly — on-the-day rates at Short Stay are among the highest in Scotland.
Things to do near Edinburgh Airport
Popular activities and attractions in and around Edinburgh
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